BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) Practice Test 2026 - Free BMAT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The area of a parallelogram is calculated using the formula that takes into account the base and the height of the shape. The formula is straightforward: the area is obtained by multiplying the length of the base (b) by the height (h). This relationship holds because the height is defined as the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite side, ensuring that the calculation reflects the actual space contained within the shape.

In a parallelogram, as long as the base remains consistent and the height measures the vertical distance perpendicular to that base, the product yields the total area. This understanding is crucial in geometry, as it applies to various types of trapezoids and quadrilaterals, illustrating that the area corresponds directly to the dimensions provided.

The other presented options do not define the area of a parallelogram correctly. For instance, listing half the product of the base and height represents the area of a triangle rather than a parallelogram. Furthermore, summing the base and height or manipulating with squares does not reflect the necessary dimensional relationship for area calculation in a parallelogram. Thus, the formula stating that area equals base times height is both conceptually and mathematically accurate.